Mary is sad. She doesn’t have a mother or a father. She doesn’t have friends. She lives with her uncle ( خال), Mr. Craven. He has a very big house. It has a hundred rooms and big gardens.

Martha is a nice woman. She lives with Mary. She gives Mary food and tells Mary stories. One day, Martha tells Mary about the secret garden.

Martha: The secret garden is beautiful. It has green trees. It has red, yellow, orange and purple flowers.
Mary: I want to see the secret garden.
Martha: You can’t see the secret garden. It is closed.

Mary: Why is it closed?
Martha: Mr. Craven made the garden for a special woman, but she died (ماتت). Mr. Craven is sad. Now the garden is closed.

Mary: Where is the garden?
Martha: It is behind a big wall.
Mary: I want to find the garden.
Martha: You can’t find the secret garden. But there are other gardens. You can see the other gardens.

It is a windy day. Mary is looking for the secret garden. She sees a beautiful red bird. Mary watches the bird. It is sitting on a wall. Then Mary sees a door under the bird.

Mary opens the door. It is the secret garden!
The garden is dirty. Mary wants to clean the garden, but she needs help.

Mary sees a boy near the house.

Mary: Hello, I’m Mary. Who are you?

Dickon: My name is Dickon. I’m Martha’s brother.

Mary: Why are you here? Dickon: I am walking with my fox (ثعلب) and my bird. I love animals and I love the trees.

Mary: There is a secret garden with many trees. You can walk in the garden with your fox and your bird. But it is old and dirty. I need help to clean it. Can you help me?

Dickon: Yes. We can clean the garden together. 

Mary: Thanks. You are a good friend.

It is night. Mary is sleeping in her bedroom. There is a noise (صوت) in the house. Mary looks in forty rooms. Then she sees a boy. He is crying.

Mary: Who are you?

Colin: I’m Colin.

Mary: Do you live in this house?

Colin: Yes. Mr. Craven is my father.

Mary: Why are you sad?

Colin: I am sick. I can’t walk. I sit in my bed all day.

Mary: I’m sorry. Perhaps I can help you. There is a secret garden. My friend Dickon and I go there every day. You can come to the secret garden too. Dickon and I can help you walk. We can be friends.

Colin: I want to walk. I want friends. I want to come to the garden. 

Mary and Dickon take Colin to the secret garden. They clean the garden. They help Colin walk. Now it isn’t a secret garden. It is a friendship garden.